Akomolede Hails Chief Samuel Abejide at 79, Describes Him as Formidable Leader, Father of Repute.

Akomolede Hails Chief Samuel Abejide at 79, Describes Him as Formidable Leader, Father of Repute.

By Rotimi Akomolede 

The Permanent Secretary of the Ekiti State Local Government Loans Board, Mr. Rotimi Akomolede, has celebrated the 79th birthday of the Chairman of the Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission, Chief Samuel A. Abejide, describing him as a pragmatic and formidable leader and a father of repute whose legacy of service continues to resonate across Ekiti State.

In a goodwill message made available to journalists on Wednesday, Akomolede praised the elder statesman, an illustrious son of Ipao Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area, for his decades of outstanding contributions to public administration and grassroots development. He said Chief Abejide remains a shining example of visionary leadership and a staunch advocate for the welfare of local government workers.

“Chief Abejide is a rare gem whose consistent advocacy for improved conditions for our local government staff is deeply appreciated. His wisdom, integrity, and tireless commitment to grassroots development have left an indelible mark on the Ekiti public service,” Akomolede said.

He commended the veteran administrator’s achievements since assuming office as Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, noting that his tenure, backed by the unwavering support of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, has brought about a new era of reform and accountability in the system.

According to him, Chief Abejide led one of the largest promotion and conversion exercises in Ekiti’s local government history, affecting over 1,800 staff across various cadres. He also spearheaded welfare improvements and enhanced logistics for workers across all 16 local government areas and facilitated intensive capacity-building programmes to retrain council workers in modern administrative practices.

Akomolede further highlighted Chief Abejide’s critical role in strengthening the Local Government Staff Loans Board through his close collaboration with the Oyebanji-led administration. He listed key interventions including the promulgation of the Ekiti State Local Government Staff Loans Board Law 2023, the release of an initial ₦200 million recapitalization fund in September 2023, the procurement of two Toyota Corolla vehicles in April 2025 to support the Board’s operations, and a fresh ₦100 million recapitalization fund approved in May 2025.

“These interventions and reforms under Chief Abejide’s leadership have not only restored confidence in the system but have also set a new standard for service delivery, transparency, and worker empowerment in Ekiti’s local government administration,” Akomolede stated.

He prayed for long life, good health, and renewed strength for the elder statesman while expressing deep gratitude for his fatherly guidance and steady contributions to the growth of the state.

As Chief Abejide marks his 79th birthday, colleagues, associates, and admirers across the state have continued to pour in goodwill messages, celebrating his enduring influence and statesmanship in public service and community leadership.